Only One Truth

Who taught you to lie?  Who taught you to be selfish?  Who taught you to want?  Who taught you the emotion of anger?  Think carefully about it, and you’ll realize that the answer is no-one.  We don’t teach our children when and how to lie, we teach them to tell the truth.  We don’t teach them to hoard their toys but rather to share their toys.  We don’t teach them to be rude or disrespectful, we teach them to be polite and use their manners.  We don’t teach them to want material possessions and desire new things, we teach them to be grateful and thankful for what they have.  I know not one parent that train their children to be more angry each day, but we teach them to be joyful and choose happiness in the face of adversity.

We are born with these sinful characteristics, all of which are complete opposite of the characteristics that God desires in His children.  Romans 3:11-12 tells us,
“There is none righteous, not even one;
¹¹ There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
¹² All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”

So, what then are we to do?  If indeed we are all born into sin, with inherent sinful characteristics that prevent us from achieving heaven and eternity with the Father, why are we born?  I don’t care how good of a person you are, who you have helped, how much you have given to charities, how many trips you’ve made to the shelter or to a foreign land to help starving children, how many homeless people you have given a dollar to or how many times you’ve given food to the hungry.  These are not the things that get you into heaven or erase the sinful nature of your life.  Ask yourself how many good things are required to offset a lustful thought?  What good thing must you do to reconcile the jealousy, greed and anger that wells up in your mind each day?  You see, sinful actions, as judged by the law of Lord (10 Commandments), are not reconcilable through actions or doing good things.  It is stated in 1 John 3:4-5,
“⁴Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
⁵ You know that He {Jesus} appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.” 
This is the challenge facing every one of us from the moment we are conceived.

So what is your plan for reconciliation?  If you believe there is something other than redemptive grace provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, than please let me know.  The Bible tells us the path of salvation is through the Son, Jesus Christ, and only through Him (1 John 2:1-2, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins”)  If you have an opinion that there are other methods of salvation, than I would like to understand your Biblical reference which demonstrates this redemptive process.  Many will acknowledge that Christ is the Son of God, but then will comment that other’s beliefs are just as valid and that all religions point toward the same God.  In stating this, many will then deduce that as long as they believe in the same God, their path to salvation is just as valid.  If indeed this is your perspective, how can you claim to be a Christian (follower of Jesus Christ)?

A belief in Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord, mandates acceptance of His deity and thereby His word as 100% truth.  It very clearly states in several places but most knowingly in John 14:6,
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, 
and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
I for one believe the Word is God breathed and Holy inspired writing and therefore truthful.  I ask that you carefully consider your position if you believe there are multiple ways to heaven, seriously open your heart in prayer tonight and ask that the Lord make very clear to you that this is a lie of the Evil one.  Then, with this realization, you can in turn can help others come to the same perspective.  We are God’s children and in that role we have a responsibility to be truthful to those who are blinded by the world.  We must share His gospel and truth with them. Be blessed my friends.

An Act of Futility

January 12, 2015

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”– John 14:6

I get it.  I understand why so many people are anti-religious.  If it is perceived as a straight jacket discipline which requires perfect action, words and emotions; it would be most unappealing to all.  In reality though it’s not the requirement of being a Christian.  Sure, perfect holiness and righteousness is the requirement to enter into eternal heaven with God the Father, but this is impossible for mankind.

If we are keeping score (of righteousness vs. unrighteousness) the average person will perform no less than a few hundred unrighteous acts in a given 24 hour period.  Let’s face it through our thoughts, actions, and words we are seldom in a state of holy righteousness, and abiding in His holy word.  As hard as we try, we cannot will ourselves to stop these things from happening.  With this in mind, there must be a way to overcome our instinctive unrighteous behavior.

How many “good” righteous acts must one commit each day, each hour, each minute to overcome the plethora of unrighteousness that overwhelms us?  Is it a 1 for 1 trade off, or does it take more good to overcome each unrighteous act?  Does one extremely good thing overcome multiple unrighteous acts?  In a given lifetime, can we do enough good things for the world to balance the scales with the evil or unrighteous things?  The obvious answer is no, we cannot.

So, if holy righteousness is required to enter heaven, and we cannot achieve that on our own, despite how hard we attempt to control ourselves, how can we achieve it?  This is the reason Jesus Christ came to the earth and endured the wrath of God upon the cross.  His righteousness was pure, holy and perfect in every way.  He became the propitiation for your sins and my sins before we were even conceived.  Through his death and sacrifice on the cross we, who accept and believe in Him, are washed clean.  Our soul takes on the image of Christ forever more, and though our flesh continues to sin, our spirit is holy and righteous.

Have you ever looked into one of those funny mirrors at a State Fair or Carnival?  You know the ones that either make you look extremely tall and skinny, or very short and rotund regardless of how you actually look.  The image you see is definitely you, but it is altered, it is transposed into something different than reality.  I imagine standing before God on judgment day will be similar.  I will stand before His perfect holiness in rags of sin and unrighteousness from every act ever committed.  But, in my imagination, Jesus Christ is standing between me and the Father, and the Father sees me through the image of Jesus as perfectly holy and righteous.  My sins are covered by His holiness and thought I am guilty of transgressions, I am forgiven completely because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.

Without His coverage, I am left to stand before the Father to justify my actions good and bad, in an attempt to convince the Almighty that I am perfectly holy enough for heaven.  This indeed is an impossible task, and if you are running from religion because you see it as worthless to even attempt, than I fully understand your opinion.  You are correct in your assertion that it is impossible so why even try to achieve it.  What you need to realize is that there is a way, and only one way to overcome this reality.  That is through Jesus Christ. 


© Sondove Enterprises, 2015
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Speak With Confidence

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16

  Confidence goes a long way when you are trying to make a point on anything.  Negotiating, public speaking, interviewing for a job or trying to close a sale – in all of these examples it is very important to have complete confidence in what you are saying.  Have you ever been in a situation where you had to defend yourself and the information that you were presenting as fact?  In many cases we preface our beliefs with something like, “I believe ….” or “It could be…”, both of which indicate that we are unsure of the following information, but we want to put it out there for discussion.  Stating information as fact requires a deep belief and understanding of the surrounding facts and debatable points.

In Matthew 16 we find Jesus asking His disciples pointedly;
                “Who do people say I am?”
                to which they reply; “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.”
                Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”
                to which Peter confidently states “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
He is emphatic, pointed, confident and secure in his words.  Why was Jesus asking the question?  It’s unlikely that Jesus needed to have His ego stroked, and be given the opportunity to brag about His heritage and divinity.  No, Jesus was setting the stage for Peter to become the leader of His church.  In His sovereignty, God must have known that Peter would jump to the lead in answering this question.

The scriptures go on to tell us that Peter’s words and knowledge to answer this question did not come from himself, but from God through him.  This revelation from God was specifically directed through Peter and led to his calling.  These 10 words, each profound in their own right, left the lips of Peter as he stood before Jesus and the other disciples, and set in progress a series of events that would forever impact the world.  The other disciples standing along the path that day may have had the same thoughts, but God chose to use Peter.  God’s message through this man, makes it clear:
                “You are the Christ” – make no mistake – the Messiah stands amongst you.  This is the One I have promised you through the scriptures
                “the Son” – a statement of divinity, He is a prince and heir to the throne of the Almighty
                “of the Living God.” – clearly this statement of God as a Living God, contrasts to all of the other Pagan gods of the time, which are dead idols – stones, rocks or temporary.  God is the source for life both in the here and now and in the realm of eternity.

Peter makes the first testimony of the Christian church in this statement.  Establishing a precedence that will later be used by the apostles and churches for all of time.  Profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and receive salvation.  God places these words at the right time on the lips of every believer.  It is inherent in our being to seek higher authority and purpose in life.  That desire, that longing is within our hearts because God has placed it there.  Just as he placed it into the hearts of Peter and the other disciples to follow Christ.  God places these words upon our lips as we proclaim our salvation and receive His grace.  Acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and He will acknowledge you before the Father (Matthew 10:32). 

Follow in the path that Peter has established.  Do not hide behind your words and fear of man’s reaction, but trust in the Lord to speak through you and be bold and confident in declaring who Jesus Christ is.  There are so many today that are trying to be soft on this point and accepting of other ways to God the Father, but the bible is black and white on this point.  Peter acknowledged it here, and John, Paul and the others have stated it other ways throughout the scriptures.  Most clearly it is captured in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the light.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Prayer:Almighty God,
Thank you for speaking through Peter and making it clear that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  Help us to put aside our emotions and feelings of being politically correct and boldly stand up with our testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to the Father.  You have given us Your Son as our path to salvation, and the promise that if we profess His name and accept Him as Lord and Savior we will rejoice in heaven.  We claim hold to that promise and confidently speak it on Your behalf.  Let our words fall upon Your ears with joyful praise and honor, In Your name we pray - Amen

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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What if He Meant It?

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“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6

I was 18 years old, a Senior in High School, and unteachable.  It was a Saturday afternoon and my parents were working, as I sat in the living room looking out the window as the rain continued to pour down.  It had been one of the coldest winters I remembered as a child, so the rain was actually welcome as long as it the temperature stayed warm.  Spring had officially begun and I was counting the days to Spring Break, Prom and then Graduation.  My ’73 Buick Lesabre was in the repair shop, so I was stranded unless I wanted to walk to my friends place. 

I recall the moment the rain stopped, because this was the moment the temptation set in.  As the sun broke through the clouds and the skies actually started to clear, a newness fell upon my eyes as I looked out the front window.  I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of it earlier, but at this moment it seemed completely logical.  I walked to the kitchen, rummaged through the drawers and found what I was looking for.  I grabbed my coat and threw on my favorite baseball cap and stepped out into the sunshine.  As I looked around, I saw no witnesses, glancing at my watch I realized I had a few hours before my parents would be home, so the decision was quite simple.  I put the key in the opening and unlocked the driver door of my brothers 1969 Camaro SS that sat quietly in the driveway of my parents home. 

Steve was away at college and his car had sat idly in the driveway for months untouched per his distinct instructions that “No-one was to drive his car while he was gone.”  How would he know, I’d be gone and back before my parents ever knew and I’d park it right back where it was.  Just a little tour around the city, maybe stop by Paul’s and we could cruise Main Street for a little while.  As I started the engine, it was hypnotic and addicting.  A 350hp, 8 cylinder, American muscle car in unbelievable condition.  I eased it into reverse and backed out of the driveway.  I had only driven his car a few times in the past with his approval and him in the passenger seat.  This time was different.  I had control of an amazing vehicle without anyone telling me to slow down or be careful. 

I drove away in my brother’s car and slowly tooled around the neighborhood, then opened it up when I got onto the main road.  Unbelievable power under the hood and all of a sudden my boring, raining day had become exciting.  I turned into a subdivision to make my way back to Paul’s house, and as I came around a corner I failed to see the standing water that covered the road.  I hit the 6” deep pool of water doing 35 mph as water sprayed up on both sides of the car.  Then the car died in the middle of the road as the water came back and settled around the wheels.  Despite my numerous attempts to restart the car it wasn’t turning over.  Then the thoughts of regret came crashing in.  What would my parents say, what would Steve say when he found out, how would I talk my way out of this one, what if I had damaged something beyond repair, how could I be so stupid?  Just as I stepped out of the car into the small lake in the middle of the road, a wonderful man from our church walked up on the situation.  It just so happens that the car broke down right in front of his home, and he knew a lot about the American classic cars.  Within 15 minutes he had taken a few things off the engine, dried it all up and put it back together.  The engine started right up, purred in perfection and my mind was put at ease.  With a heartfelt thank you, I was back on the road again and headed straight back to the house, putting Steve’s car right back where it rightfully belonged. 

It is a simple example of decisions we make in life for the temporary pleasure without consideration for the long term impact that may result.  Jesus Christ walked this earth and gave us examples of how to love one another, serve God and live righteously.  By his life we were given the instructions we need to make a difference in this world and build up the Kingdom of God.  The scriptures are filled with God’s expectations, examples of His grace, love and mercy; yet we still struggle accepting it as truth and direction in our life.  We chose the parts we like and ignore the parts that interfere with our comfort or lifestyle.  It isn’t a menu at a fast food restaurant, and the sooner we figure out that Jesus meant what He said, the better off our society becomes.  Over the next week or so I will be discussing the Sermon on the Mount and hopefully will shed some light on what is expected of those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Please join me and share it with your friends as we take this journey together.

Prayer:

Father,
I am a sinner, kneeling before You with a heart filled with shame and broken dreams.  I am sorry for the choices I have made in life that have drawn me farther from You, Lord.  I know Your desire is to work through me and change the world one person at a time and I long to participate in Your plan without abandon.  Free my mind Lord from the distractions of this world that separate my plans from Yours.  Help me to fully grasp the reality of Your truth and live within Your will.  In Your name I pray – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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